"The authorities are trying to portray the country as being on the road to reform, but we continue to receive reports of torture and use of unnecessary and excessive force against protests," Middle East and North Africa deputy director Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui said, according to the BBC.

More than 40 people are believed to have been killed 1,600 arrested as authorities moved to quell the mainly Shiite-led uprising against the ruling Sunni monarchy, said BBC, a crisis that saw growing international attention until the government pledged key reforms.

The group urged authorities to better respond to rights violations earlier revealed by its own government-led commission, with Sahraoui saying they must begin "holding to account senior members of the security forces accused of violations, releasing prisoners of conscience and addressing the underlying discrimination against the Shia majority population," according to Al Jazeera.

For its part, Bahrain says it is "very much committed to implementing" the government's recommendations, reported BBC.

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